Tips for Walking Down the Aisle

There are certain key moments in any wedding which will help define it, both on the day itself, and when you come to look at your wedding film.

One of these is when the bride walks down the aisle. It is a moment that’s both familiar and totally fresh. It is more than a highlight: it is one of the elements that is central to a wedding.

Therefore, it needs to work, for everyone – the bride, the guests, and on the wedding film.

As a professional wedding videographer based in Manchester, I’ve seen plenty of walks down the aisle, and experience tells me that preparation is everything. Here are some of my thoughts on getting it right, and what alternatives there are.

What Could Possibly Go Wrong?

A recent wedding video that’s done the rounds online shows a hapless wedding guest fall into the path of an oncoming bride as she attempts to film her progress down the aisle.

The church is beautifully decorated, even down to having a kind of mini floral fence lining the route down the aisle.

It is, of course, this that the guest falls over as she tries to snap her exclusive of the wedding procession.

This tells us two things: one, that even with the most meticulously-prepared setting you may get the unexpected happening; and two, that weddings should not be an amateur photography free-for-all.

Planning is vital, and planning the walk down the aisle especially so. This includes letting guests know in advance not to get in the way.

Do It Gracefully, In the Right Order

Weddings don’t have to be traditional, but there’s nothing wrong with a bit of tradition should you prefer it. There’s a traditionalorder for processing down the aisle and it’s the bride accompanied by her father, followed by the bridesmaids and flower girls.

Obviously, this can change, and some people prefer to have the bridesmaids and flower girls leading the way, or even include groomsmen in the wedding procession.

What is most important is that everyone involved knows the order and when it’s their turn to go.

You should also let your wedding videographer know this in advance.

It’s crucial that the procession is slow, graceful and allows the bride plenty of room so that her progress isn’t blocked, and she isn’t obscured in any way.

My advice to brides is remember your posture – this might sound old fashioned but it’s relevant – and practice walking in the shoes and outfit you’ll be wearing down the aisle, because they can seem unfamiliar and restrictive.

Most of all, don’t forget to smile.

A Note on Music

Choose the music you want to accompany your walk carefully – novelty might seem an attractive idea but I can almost guarantee it won’t work as well as you think it will. And it will look odd in retrospect on the film of your wedding.

You need the music to be appropriate to the occasion, and fitting for you, the bride as you make your way down the aisle.

You must also consider the music accompanying your wedding film and what sort of licence you will require should you be using copyrighted music on your soundtrack.

Talk to me about this, I’m happy to offer my help and advice.

A Note About Restrictions to Filming

Depending on where your ceremony takes place, there may be restrictions about where I can film from when it comes to walking down the aisle.

As an experienced filmmaker, I can overcome obstacles and still ensure your walk will look the part, but it will help me to know about any restrictions on filming in advance.

Are There Alternatives?

For many couples getting married, things are changing and there is a growing trend for first look weddings. This is where the couple meets up and checks each other out before walking down the aisle together.

It can make for a moving, romantic narrative, capturing a special moment between two people before they emerge together, down the aisle, in public.

There are also trends for brides to walk solo down the aisle, or for the bride and groom to approach from opposite sides and meet in the middle!

Check with your wedding ceremony venue first. And remember what I said earlier about planning, and letting your videographer know in advance.

Relive Your Wedding Day

My name’s Paul and I’m a Manchester-based wedding videographer. I specialise in filming weddings in Manchester, Lancashire and across the North West. Contact me about your wedding plans, and let me create something special for you, so you can relive your wedding day.

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Manchester Wedding Videography

I tell love stories on film, making your wedding that much more memorable, so that you can relive your wedding day and share your love. I cover Manchester, Cheshire, Lancashire and the North West but can work further afield on request, including destination weddings abroad.